Perspectives on climate change, sustainability, and student experiences from the Going Green community.
Explore posts from the 2014–2015 project year covering Earth Day, international climate talks, student reflections, and expert commentary on sustainability.
The Going Green project brings together German and American classrooms in a unique blended-learning environment that spans the Atlantic. Students from both countries collaborate on shared sustainability challenges, exchanging ideas through digital platforms and face-to-face encounters. This cross-cultural dialogue deepens their understanding of environmental issues while building lasting connections between young people from different backgrounds. The program encourages participants to think globally and act locally, applying what they learn about sustainable development to their own communities. Through guided discussions and collaborative projects, learners develop both language skills and environmental awareness in an integrated, meaningful way.
Participating schools find that the project enriches their existing curriculum with real-world relevance. Teachers across disciplines incorporate sustainability themes into their lessons, using tested materials developed by an international team of practitioners. The blended format combines online learning modules with classroom activities, allowing students to engage with content at their own pace while maintaining regular interaction with their partner class abroad. This flexible structure accommodates different schedules and time zones, making it possible for schools in both countries to participate fully. The project also provides a supportive community of educators who share strategies and resources throughout the school year.
Student reflections from the program reveal how this exchange transforms perspectives on environmental responsibility. Young people discover that sustainability challenges know no borders, and that solutions require cooperation across cultures and continents. Many participants report that working with international peers motivates them to take more meaningful action in their own lives, from reducing waste to advocating for climate-friendly policies at school. The project creates space for honest conversations about difficult topics, helping students develop the confidence to express their views and listen to others with different experiences. These exchanges often spark friendships that continue long after the formal program ends.
The partnership behind Going Green draws on expertise from educational institutions, cultural organizations, and environmental practitioners. This collaborative foundation ensures that the program remains grounded in current research while staying responsive to the needs of classrooms. The project has evolved over time, incorporating feedback from participating teachers and students to refine its approach and materials. Special events like Earth Day celebrations and climate conference simulations give students opportunities to apply their learning in engaging, hands-on ways. The ongoing commitment to this transatlantic exchange reflects a shared belief that education is one of the most powerful tools for building a more sustainable future.
April 23, 2015
An engaging look back at the people who launched the original Earth Day movement. Read the full feature on Time magazine's website for a deeper understanding of how grassroots environmental activism took shape in the United States.
Read on time.com →April 23, 2015
President Obama issued a proclamation marking Earth Day 2015, reaffirming the importance of environmental stewardship. The U.S. Embassy shared the full text in English, and a German-language version was published via the Amerikadienst blog for German-speaking audiences.
Read the proclamation →December 2014
In December 2014, the U.S. and India held joint discussions on climate change action, covered in depth by The Guardian. The talks highlighted growing bilateral cooperation on emissions reduction and clean energy, topics directly relevant to the Going Green curriculum.
Read on The Guardian →January 2015
Project groups associated with Going Green were recognized in connection with the RWE Climate Protection Award, an initiative supporting innovative climate-action projects. The award underscored the real-world impact of student-led sustainability efforts emerging from the blended-learning program.
January 2015
A new-year post reflecting on the Keystone XL oil pipeline project and its environmental implications. Readers were directed to the official Keystone XL project site and BBC coverage for balanced background on the debate surrounding North American energy infrastructure.
BBC coverage →December 2014
A wrap-up message as the 2014 project phase drew to a close. The post encouraged participants to stay connected through the Going Green Facebook page and to revisit project highlights, including a video recap shared on YouTube.
Going Green on Facebook →Looking for teaching materials and curated links? Visit the Resources section for downloadable content and external competition links.